Cars, cars, and more cars... can there be to much of a good thing??

Dear Family & Friends,

Another hard day of "work"....

First off in the morning I went to a large Porsche car show.. I have never seen so many Porsches in one place. I was entered in the display class only so I was not worried about getting there to early. Besides who goes to a show at 7am?? So I went out for some breakfast and coffee and while I am looking at Facebook on my Ipad I started seeing photos and videos already posted from the show showing the hundreds of cars that were already there!! these Porsche owners are fanatics!!

The show as interesting because it showed one of the very early model Porsches, a very humble sports car to the latest 918 model, at 750+hp and $1,200,000++!! The 918 is an amazing display of technology. If you ever have to get to town at 200+ mph this is the car to do it..

I visited with several friends from the SLO area and we had lunch. 

After lunch I drove out on the 17 mile drive to the Inn at Spanish Bay. A very swank hotel right on the water. They were having a sale called Auto Retro. It was a very high end collection of automotive memorabilia, vintage clothing, and art work. I got to talking to a vendor in rare Ferrari literature and told him about the time when I was 19 I wrote Ferrari a letter asking for a summer job.... Of course I did not get hired but I got a very nice personal letter on Ferrari company stationary signed by Mr. Ferrari himself.. I have saved it all these years and have it framed in my office.. The vendor offered me $1000 for the letter right on the spot!! So obviously it must be worth far more....

From there I went downtown and walked around looking at the RM Auction and Russo and Steel Auctions. After a while it was just to much.. I did hear a few of the "rare and expensive" cars start up and they sure didn't sound like they were running on all cylinders. Seemed like a place to dump a second tier car...

While watching one of the auction cars I sat down for coffee.  A couple asked if they could join me since there was a lack a chairs. I welcomed them since I could use the company. We started talking and noticed the gentleman had an English accent. After a few minutes we figured out we shared a common friend in England and I had even been to his Ferrari restoration shop many years ago. What a small world.

After a full day of cars and chat I went out for a quiet dinner alone and a tall glass of wine... Tonight I am going to sleep well which is good because tomorrow is a LONG day. I am working our display booth at the track.... 

Jason

Porsche, Porsche, Porsche, as far as the eye can see.. The owners are definitely enthusiasts!

A friend of mine's GT2.. Immaculate car and beautiful too!

Care for a 356?

This is what is called a GRUPPE R car. These are 1973 and earlier Porsche 911s that the owners modify how ever they like to make them look better or perform better. The Hot Rodding of the Porsche world. I think these are great cars to build and I am building one too. I get bored restoring a car stock. Using some creativity and building what you like is the real fun of the car hobby.. These Gruppe R cars are extremely popular right now. They were all over Monterey this week.

You know you are in Carmel when a hot dog cost $15!!!

Did you know that yellow Porsches are 3% faster on the top speed due to the color having  lower drag in the air??

If you want the fastest car on the road this week, this is the car for you; The Porsche 918 well north of $1,000,000 but don't let the price scare you. Just tell the salesman how much a month you can afford.......

The amount of effort to restore this car was approaching absolute zero....

This car belongs to a friend of mine. Probably the rarest car here today. A Romesh... A German hand built car using Porsche parts.. They only built 12...

From this humble little sports car built in the early 1950s the Porsche family has built a premier automotive brand... Very impressive..

Next stop, Auto Retro... at the Inn at Spanish Bay..

I couldn't afford to park here let alone stay in one of their rooms.... :(

What every lobby needs, a 250 SWB Ferrari.. How many millions for this car?? If you have to ask you can't afford. I am not sure of the exact value but I am sure it is in 10s of millions of dollars..

Just what I would like.... A personalized oil painting of you with your race car.

Hand made custom leather purses.. Wanted to get Bonnie one but for what they cost I was afraid I would get one she did not like and it would just sit in the closet.....

Beautiful pewter air planes..

This Porsche seat costs more than a Porsche did just a few years ago...

One of my all time favorite Ferraris, a 275 GTB4. I knew couldn't ever afford to own one but I learned today I cannot even afford the model of one!!

Ferrari owners have been called the "Gold Chain" crowd for all their gold Ferrari jewelry... This is where to buy it..

                         Every lobby should have a couple of Bugattis on display.........

                       Off to the Auctions!

To me this is one of the best parts of Monterey Car Week. When you can see a rare classic Porsche and an MG TC parked on the street, actually in use!

This was a beautiful Aston Martin going off the auction but when it drove by it sounded like it was running on 4 cylinders....
it has 6..